Hey guys! This is my second or third post here at the 4runner forums. So far people have been super helpful and friendly. I posted in the classic 4runners sub forum initially since my wife and I were taking a look at a 1992 earlier today. The vehicle turned out to be a no go, and while I was browsing the classifieds, came across another 4runner, took a look this evening with my better half, and put a down payment on it!!!! Okay here are the details:

1998 4runner
Color: white/ Interior: tan
Engine: 3.4
Trans: 5-speed!!! (really wanted the 5 speed!)
4x4 of course
236k on the clock

Now I know what you're thinking, because I thought it too...that is a LOT of miles! However, I was very impressed to see that the vehicle came with an IMPECCABLE service history - all the scheduled was performed. The owner (who bought it from the original owner who had owned it for over 10 years) told me that the first owner had used the vehicle for work and that the bills for the service went on the company tab, so there was no reason to not take care of anything it needed...and if I was to add up the bigger services, it would have been in the thousands $$$.

My wife and I test drove it. It sounded great, was smooth, no weird vibrations, no suspension sag, alignment was good, steering tight. felt really good. Body was straight, with hardly any rust. There were a few rust dots along the bottom of the passenger windows, and some light rust inside the bumpers, other than that, CLEAN. The undercarriage and frame was beautiful, no rust here. Engine bay was decently clean, and NO LEAKS! I checked the drain plug and was amazed so find no dirty oil covering the bolt and pan.

Only negatives are that the antenna motor runs to try and pull the antenna down, but the antenna is frozen, back window jams when going down, and had a slight fender bender (literally) where the front fender got bent in an inch on the right passenger side and moved the front headlight a few mm and put a small crack in the front bottom orange light.

Windshield was replaced about a year ago. Tires about a year ago, too. We are getting it for around 4k.

I'm really excited but at the same time have a little trepidation about the whole thing! I've never owned a 4x4 before, just little cars. I'm very interested if you have any tips for a new owner-to-be! I will want to do most of the maintenance myself, so if you have any suggestions about tires, spark plugs, oil, gear oil, collant, all that jazz. Also, I'm interested in knowing what first upgrades you would recommend. We are looking to raise it just a little bit, put on some lights, get a winch, just basic things to make it a little more off road worthy. Also, I've heard a little about manual locking hubs, but don't know that much about them. Any modification advice will be definitely well received. Also, since I know as some of these vehicles age, they become susceptible to rust, so I'm interested in getting some POR15 for the frame or spray on rhino liner for the bottom body panels or maybe you guys have some better suggestions.

In any case, convince me we're doing the right thing!!!!

Thanks guys!!!

Welcome!

Like I always say, POST UP SOME PICS!!

Start with a full tune-up, find out when the last time the t-belt and water pump were changed.

Then modding time!

Good luck! She won't let you down

As always with a vehicle of that mileage, you may have some little problems a long the way, but it sounds like you picked a really nice one and really did your research in terms of service history. Price sounds about right for the mileage but I haven't looked at prices on these trucks in 2 years so who knows anymore. About 2 weeks after I bought mine I saw one for sale locally with 324,000 miles on it. They are definitely capable of that but it will obviously require care to get there. As LINY said, find out when the timing belt was last replaced. It should have been done twice by now, around 100k and 200k miles.

Thanks for your input guys!

I will most likely be taking ownership of the vehicle on Monday. With the vehicle will come all the receipts of service, so I will be able to sit down and order them chronologically to see what was done and when.

The first order of business will be to get the vehicle detailed as the carpets will need shampooed. From there, it will be getting some new floormats, a repair book, and seeing about those specifics like the timing belt, air filter, etc.

sounds like you're on the right track! this forum has more information on it that any human can fathom, take advantage of it. that's why we're all here!

well, I mean.. I know alot there LINY but cmon, I wouldnt go thaaaat far! I mean as "any human can fathom"? maybe as any human can imagine... yeah, that sounds better!

Close though! Keep it up, you'll get there!

Welcome to the Club! I know you will love owning a 4runner! Sounds like you found a good one too, inspite of the high mileage, have fun with your new Runner!

I bought mine with 190,000 on the clock and it now has 230,000 with no problems. Just give it a tune up when you get it and ask the basics. My last rig was a 1984 fj60. When i sold it it had 380,000 on the original engine with no major work. It's a toyota you take care of it-it will take care of you...

Congrats on your new to you T4R!

Sounds like a nice find. The first mod that I would do is to remove the running boards if it has a set. They look much better without them and actually look lifted. Also, like LINY said, post up some pics! Haha

Congrats! I've owned two Toyota trucks beyond 200K, and now a 4Runner with almost 150K. Nothing better!

First thing is a fluid change... everywhere (unless you can show via service records and inspection that it has been changed very recently). Change the plugs and wires. Flush the radiator. Change the brake fluid. Check the power steering fluid.

There are a few things that are known to fail early on 4Runners:
- Dash clock
- Power antenna
- Rear axle seals

The last one is particularly nasty, but fairly obvious because you'll have a spray of oil around the inside wall of the rear tires.

But as LINY says, there's TONS of information and experience on here, and almost nothing you find wrong will be new to anyone so help is very close by!

RE: The power antenna: Mine is stuck in the upright position and no longer retracts. Since I've never owned a vehicle with a power retracting antenna, I just pulled the fender liner out, disconnected the power lead to the antenna (so it would stop making that annoying sound) and left it as-is.

If I get ambitious I'll put a non-retracting Tacoma antenna on it but honestly, I'm not going to waste a lot of time or effort on fixing something that works.

Advice for your Tune-UP. Use as many Toyota Parts as possible. In my years of owning Toyotas and working on friends as well I have found out that they are picky, partly because Toyota got it right. Use the ND or NGK plugs and stay far away from Bosch and other "performance" plugs our motors do not like them. Starters almost never fail instead the solenoids have very soft copper contacts that you replace instead for around $30 in parts as compared to $160-185 for new starter.

Manual locking hubs are nice however it is not a cheap conversion and for some reason the axles are weaker or so I have heard. That and I really havnt heard of any issues with the ADD hubs on these and there are a few of us that wheel pretty hard without issues. I guess that is all I can think of for now. The Search feature is your friend but dont be afraid to ask.

Guys,

I think there may be an issue with the rear axle seal. I DID notice exactly what zcruiser mentioned, residue all around the inside rim of the back passenger wheel. Is this a deal breaker? Expensive operation? How serious is this? Does it destroy the back axle?

If you had noticed this, what would your thoughts be? Does it take $$ off the asking price?

"the first owner had used the vehicle for work and that the bills for the service went on the company tab, so there was no reason to not take care of anything it needed...and if I was to add up the bigger services, it would have been in the thousands $$$."

I'm curious as to what would add up to thousands of dollars??

-Ian

It's not that serious and as zcruiser mentioned it's common. Most of us on here have dealt with it. The rear seal will need to be replaced (I would have them do the other side too before it goes - because it will) and the brakes shoes on the bad side will probably need to be done because the oil gets on the pads and ruins them. My one side cost $300 so I would guess $500 for both seals and brakes on one side. It doesn't destroy the axle unless it's neglected for a very long time. Offer them $500 less and tell them why (or show them this post).